Each TED conference features more than 50 of the world's most
innovative and influential speakers. If you know
someone who belongs on the TED stage, or if you belong
there yourself, we want to hear from you! Please use
our speaker recommendation form.
If you wish to suggest a speaker for a local, independent TEDx event, contact the organizer directly through the TEDx event's own web page. Details on becoming a TEDx speaker »
For tips on suggesting a speaker for a TED or TEDGlobal conference, read our FAQ below.
About our speakers
At TED, we search year-round for presenters who will inform and inspire, surprise and delight. Our presenters run the world's most admired companies and design its best-loved products; they invent world-changing devices and create ground-breaking media. They are trusted voices and convention-breaking mavericks, icons and geniuses.
Collectively, TED speakers have won every major prize awarded for excellence, including the Nobel, Pritzker, Pulitzer, Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, Tony and MacArthur "genius" grant. TED also seeks out emerging artists, scientists and thinkers, introducing them to the TED community well before they hit the mainstream.
Some of these remarkable people have included former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, designer Phillipe Starck, architect Frank Gehry, primatologist Jane Goodall, musician Paul Simon, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, genomics pioneer Craig Venter, biologist E.O. Wilson, playwright Eve Ensler, photojournalist James Nachtwey, Nobel laureates Paul Berg, Murray Gell-Man and Jim Watson (of Watson & Crick), Lost producer JJ Abrams, jazz musician Herbie Hancock, Tipping Point author Malcolm Gladwell, architect and sculptor Maya Lin, Reverend Billy Graham, cellist Yo Yo Ma, Segway inventor Dean Kamen, Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister, leadership coach Tony Robbins ...
Suggest a speaker
If you know someone who belongs on our roster, or if you belong there yourself, we want to hear from you! Please use our Speaker recommendation form, and tell us why this person would be well-matched to the TED stage.
Multiple nominations for the same person won't influence the speaker selection team in any way. We review every nomination that comes in, and it only takes one.
FAQ: Speaking at TED
TED isn't a typical conference. The TED audience has high expectations of the speakers; the TED speaker team works with speakers well in advance of the conference to help shape a presentation that will succeed on the TED stage. TED is the place to give the talk of your life.
How do I suggest a speaker?
Use our "Suggest a Speaker" form, and fill in as much information as you can. This form goes directly to our speaker selection team.
Can I suggest someone I don't know personally? You ask for their email address, and I don't know it.
Please do! Just let us know how you've heard about this person, and why you think they should speak at TED.
Can I suggest someone I work for, or a client of mine?
Yes.
Can I suggest myself as a speaker?
Yes.
Can I speak at TED by becoming a sponsor?
No. Read more about sponsoring TED. Sponsoring TED has many benefits, but a guaranteed speaking slot is not one of them.
Will it help if I submit multiple nominations, or have my friends or employees nominate me several times?
No. It really only takes one suggestion.
Is there a deadline for suggesting a speaker?
We accept nominations all the time. It's best to get your suggestions to us as early as possible, so we can research them carefully and make the best decision on the speaker roster.
I want to speak at TED, but my usual talk runs 50 minutes. Can I get a longer slot? We strictly enforce the clock for all speakers. TED is the place to condense your ideas into a compelling 18-minute talk that communicates your best ideas. We've found that a carefully prepared presentation of this length can have astonishing impact.
Do you have keynotes or panels?
At TED, everyone hears every presentation; there are no breakout sessions or tracks, no keynotes, and very rarely are there panels (though we have had debates).
What do you pay speakers?
TED does not pay speakers. We do, of course, cover travel costs and provide excellent hotel accommodation -- as well as a covetable pass to all four days of TED. Most speakers stay for all four days of the conference, soaking up the inspiration and connecting with other fascinating attendees, who range from rocket scientists to concert pianists. Other TED goodies include the famous gift bag, the TED Book Club, a beautiful Program Guide with a full page devoted to each full-length speaker, and a virtual-DVD stream of the conference soon afterward. We are committed to creating an experience that's tremendously fulfilling and beneficial on all sides.
An additional benefit of speaking at TED is that your presentation may become a TEDTalk, part of our beautifully produced, broadcast-quality video podcast series. Offered free to the public, TED Talks have proven extraordinarily effective at spreading ideas.